Reveal

Justin Wolfers, an economist from the University of Michigan known for his insights on happiness and income, discusses the ramifications of Trump's tariffs. He explains how these tariffs deviate from traditional economic principles and could lead the U.S. into an unnecessary recession. Wolfers critiques the unrealistic expectations of job growth tied to these policies and highlights their negative impact on consumer prices and confidence. He also contrasts current tariffs with historical approaches, emphasizing the broader implications for global trade.

Noah Lanard, a reporter for Mother Jones, dives into the disturbing cases of Venezuelan men imprisoned without trial in El Salvador's infamous mega-prison, sharing heartbreaking stories of families left in limbo. Carlos Dada, co-founder of El Faro, reveals the alarming deportation agreements between the Trump administration and El Salvador, raising questions about justice and human rights. Together, they unpack the human cost of these policies and the troubling lack of legal oversight, urging listeners to consider the deeper implications of such actions.

David Folkenflik, NPR's media correspondent, breaks down the current media landscape under political pressure, particularly during Trump's second term. He discusses the alarming ways journalism is being targeted, with news organizations facing increased hostility. Folkenflik highlights the erosion of public trust, particularly due to controversial editorial choices. He also explores how journalists can rebuild credibility in a divided society and the implications of funding challenges for public broadcasting amidst rigorous political scrutiny.

Heidi Aurand, a devoted mother advocating for mental healthcare reform, shares her emotional journey as she fought to support her son Adam through his struggles with severe mental illness. Lou Middleton opens up about his own path to recovery, spotlighting the vital roles of self-awareness and community support. Together, they explore the systemic failures of mental health care in the U.S., the challenges faced by families in crisis, and the urgent need for comprehensive care to prevent further tragedies.

Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show and founder of Abortion Access Front, shares her journey from comedy to activism. She tackles the complex landscape of abortion rights, highlighting the urgent need for involvement against misinformation and legislative threats. The conversation reveals deceptive tactics used by crisis pregnancy centers and discusses the implications of the Dobbs decision. With humor as a tool, Winstead emphasizes the importance of hybrid activism, calling everyone to action in the fight for reproductive justice.

Jack Morris, a former inmate turned prison reform advocate, discusses his transformative journey from Pelican Bay's supermax prison to freedom. He recounts the harrowing experience of long-term solitary confinement and its impact on inmates. Alongside investigative reporter Michael Montgomery, they unveil the historic hunger strike led by inmates to combat inhumane conditions. Together, they highlight the unity formed among diverse prisoners and the significant reforms that arose from their courageous fight against oppression.

Larry Turner, the former Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor, shares his firsthand experience of being ousted under the Trump administration. He reveals how this unprecedented move jeopardizes government oversight and accountability. Turner challenges claims of rapid fraud detection in agencies, likening them to fantasies. He warns that undermining inspectors general poses a significant threat to democracy, highlighting the complexities and emotional toll of such leadership changes on maintaining integrity within federal agencies.

In this gripping discussion, reporters Brian Howey and Nate Rosenfield from Mississippi Today and the New York Times delve into the shocking abuse by a small group of deputies known as the 'Goon Squad.' Andrea Dettore-Murphy, a witness to their brutality, shares her harrowing experiences that expose years of police misconduct in Rankin County. The trio highlights systemic issues in law enforcement, the courageous fight for accountability, and the deep scars left on vulnerable communities. Their investigation raises critical questions about justice and reform in policing.

This month marks the five-year anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has killed 1.2 million people in the US alone. While life has returned to normal for most Americans, the threats to our health haven’t disappeared. On this week’s episode of More To The Story, infectious disease epidemiologist Jessica Malaty Rivera talks with host Al Letson about the collision course between the Trump administration’s health priorities and our developing public health emergencies, including the spread of bird flu and the ongoing measles outbreaks. We’ve not only failed to learn our lessons from the pandemic, she argues, but we also might be stumbling into the next one.Donate today at Revealnews.org/moreSubscribe to our weekly newsletter at Revealnews.org/weeklyFollow us on Instagram @revealnewsProducer: Josh Sanburn | Editor: Kara McGuirk-Allison | Theme music: Fernando Arruda and Jim Briggs | Digital producers: Nikki Frick and Artis Curiskis | Interim executive producers: Taki Telonidis and Brett Myers | Host: Al LetsonListen: The Covid Tracking Project (Reveal)Read: Avian Flu Could Define Trump’s Second Presidency (Mother Jones) Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Decades before Covid-19, the AIDS epidemic tore through communities in the US and around the world. It has killed some 40 million people and continues to take lives today. But early on, research and public policy focused on AIDS as a gay men’s disease, overlooking other vulnerable groups—including communities of color and women. “We literally had to convince the federal government that there were women getting HIV,” says activist Maxine Wolfe. “We actually had to develop treatment and research agendas that were about women.”This week on Reveal, reporters Kai Wright and Lizzy Ratner from the podcast Blindspot: The Plague in the Shadows take us back to the first years of the HIV epidemic in New York City. One of the most influential activists for women with AIDS was Katrina Haslip, a prisoner at a maximum-security prison in upstate New York. In the 1980s, Haslip and other incarcerated women started a support group to educate each other about HIV and AIDS.Haslip took her activism beyond prison walls after her release in 1990, even meeting with leaders of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One of the main goals was to change the definition of AIDS, which at the time excluded many symptoms that appeared in HIV-positive women. This meant that women with AIDS often did not qualify for government benefits such as Medicaid and disability insurance. The podcast series Blindspot: The Plague in the Shadows is a co-production of The History Channel and WNYC Studios. This is an update of an episode that originally aired in February 2024. Support Reveal’s journalism at Revealnews.org/donatenow Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get the scoop on new episodes at Revealnews.org/newsletter Connect with us on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices